Rangeland Degradation

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G N Smit - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • soil seed bank evaluation along a Degradation gradient in arid Rangelands of the somali region eastern ethiopia
    Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, 2009
    Co-Authors: Amaha Kassahun, H A Snyman, G N Smit
    Abstract:

    Abstract The potential and regeneration capacity of soil seed banks in three eastern Ethiopian Rangeland ecosystems (Asbuli grassland or arid grassland, Aydora open savanna or arid bush/grassland and Hurso closed savanna or arid bush land) were determined over a Degradation gradient. Soil samples from 0.09 m 2 blocks (100 mm deep) were spread evenly in plastic containers in the greenhouse and studied over a 1-year period. The aboveground species composition was also compared. Sampling was from Rangelands in excellent, good, moderate and poor conditions for each ecosystem. A total of 122 plant species were identified in the soil seed banks, with 32% in the Asbuli grassland, 35% in the Aydora open savanna and 33% in the Hurso closed savanna. Seedlings emerging from soil samples were in the order of decreasing number, grasses, forbs, woody plants, weeds and legumes. Seedling density decreased ( P Tragus berteronianus and woody plant Crotolaria albicaulis dominated the botanical composition of the seed bank for all ecosystems with Rangeland Degradation. Eragrostis cilianensis and Eriochloa nubica were the dominant grass species in the soil seed bank of all ecosystems, regardless of Rangeland Degradation. There is no adequate evidence to prove that severe degraded Rangelands in eastern Ethiopia maintain adequate soil seed banks that would improve the condition of it through restoration. Application of efficient management systems and long-term conservation planning in future is therefore important for sustainable use of the natural recourse and livestock production systems in arid ecosystems.

  • impact of Rangeland Degradation on the pastoral production systems livelihoods and perceptions of the somali pastoralists in eastern ethiopia
    Journal of Arid Environments, 2008
    Co-Authors: Amaha Kassahun, H A Snyman, G N Smit
    Abstract:

    Arid and semi-arid Rangelands that serve as the resource basis for the livestock production system known as the pastoral production system in Ethiopia are under enormous threat. These Rangelands cover about 62% of the national land area and employs approximately 27% of the population. A survey was conducted in two pastoral weredas (districts; Erer and Aysha) in the Shinile zone of the Somali region, with the aims of assessing the status and trends of Rangeland Degradation, and understanding the impact on livelihoods and perceptions of the pastoralists over a 60-year period (1944–1974 and 1974–2004). The year 1974 was taken as a reference due to the severe drought in the Horn of Africa. Three villages per wereda, 50 households per village and one elder pastoralist (70–75 years old) per household were randomly selected. The sample of elders consisted of 30% women and 70% men, who were interviewed using questionnaires and open discussions. The results revealed that drought, aridity and Rangeland Degradation have increased over time due to environmental Degradation and mismanagement of Rangeland resources. Changes in vegetation ecology have drastically (p<0.05) altered the livestock species composition in favour of camels and small ruminants rather than cattle. This has also influenced the planning and preference of pastoralists for different types of livestock. Poor and very poor households have emerged, and the below-medium wealth rank has disappeared, showing that poverty has increased over time. Traditional coping mechanisms are reported to be failing due to increasing environmental and Rangeland Degradation and lack of national policies to minimize or solve the problems. These findings offer a new perspective for communal Rangeland management research, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas.

  • cattle Rangeland management practices and perceptions of pastoralists towards Rangeland Degradation in the borana zone of southern ethiopia
    Journal of Environmental Management, 2007
    Co-Authors: T B Solomon, H A Snyman, G N Smit
    Abstract:

    Abstract A survey was conducted in the Borana pastoral areas of southern Ethiopia to assess current livestock production systems, Rangeland management practices and the perceptions of the pastoralists towards Rangeland Degradation. This information is considered vital to future pastoral development planning and interventions. Data were collected from a total of 20 villages that were identified from 5 peasant associations, namely Did Yabello, Moyatte, Did Harra, Dubuluk and Melbana. The average household size in the study area was 7.23. The majority of the pastoralists relied on both livestock and crop farming. The average livestock holding per household was 14 cattle, 10 goats, 6 sheep and 2 camels. Livestock holdings, with the exception of camels, has shown a declining trend over time. The two most important traditional Rangeland management strategies adopted by the pastoralists included burning and mobility, but since 1974/75 burning has no longer been practised. With regard to mobility, the livestock herding falls in two categories, namely: home based and satellite herding. The former involves the herding of milking cows, calves and immature animals ( 2 years) further away from the encampments. Based on the pastoralists’ perceptions, the major constraints on livestock production in descending order, were recurrent drought, feed and water scarcity, animal diseases, predators and communal land ownership. All the respondents considered the condition of the Rangelands to have declined dramatically over time. In the past most development policies were based on equilibrium theories that opposed the communal use of the Rangelands and traditional range management practices. The way in which the pastoral system affects the Rangeland ecosystem functioning is contentious to this theory and the ‘tragedy of the commons’. There was also a perceived problem of bush encroachment and the ban on traditional burning practices and recurrent droughts were seen as aggravating factors to this invasion process. The increasing practice of crop cultivation on the Rangelands was identified as a serious threat to future livestock production and traditional resource management practices. Suggestions for possible interventions to improve the productivity and sustainable use of these Rangelands are made.

Nicola Favretto - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • land use Rangeland Degradation and ecological changes in the southern kalahari botswana
    African Journal of Ecology, 2016
    Co-Authors: Andrew J Dougill, J S Perkins, Julius Atlhopheng, Nicola Favretto, Lindsay C. Stringer, Lawrence Akanyang, Frank D Eckardt, K Mulale
    Abstract:

    Dual-scale analyses assessing farm-scale patterns of ecological change and landscape-scale patterns of change in vegetation cover and animal distribution are presented from ecological transect studies away from waterpoints, regional remotely sensed analysis of vegetation cover and animal numbers across the southern Kalahari, Botswana. Bush encroachment is prevalent in semi-arid sites where Acacia mellifera Benth. is widespread in communal areas and private ranches, showing that land tenure changes over the last 40 years have not avoided Rangeland Degradation. Herbaceous cover is dominated in intensively grazed areas by the annual grass Schmidtia kalahariensis Stent and in moderately grazed areas by the perennial grass Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees. Nutritious perennial grass species including Eragrostis pallens Hack. Ex Schinz remain prevalent in Wildlife Management Areas. Other ecological changes include the invasion of the exotic Prosopis glandulosa Torr. and dense stands of Rhigozum trichotomum Kuntze. in the arid southwest. Regional patterns of wildlife species show that the expansion of cattleposts and fenced ranches has led to large areas of low wildlife conservation value even in areas where cattle production is not practiced. Findings show the need for integrated landscape-scale planning of land use if the ecological value and biodiversity of the southern Kalahari is to be retained.

  • reorienting land Degradation towards sustainable land management linking sustainable livelihoods with ecosystem services in Rangeland systems
    Journal of Environmental Management, 2015
    Co-Authors: Mark Reed, Andrew J Dougill, J S Perkins, Julius Atlhopheng, K Mulale, Lindsay C. Stringer, Nicola Favretto
    Abstract:

    This paper identifies new ways of moving from land Degradation towards sustainable land management through the development of economic mechanisms. It identifies new mechanisms to tackle land Degradation based on retaining critical levels of natural capital whilst basing livelihoods on a wider range of ecosystem services. This is achieved through a case study analysis of the Kalahari Rangelands in southwest Botswana. The paper first describes the socio-economic and ecological characteristics of the Kalahari Rangelands and the types of land Degradation taking place. It then focuses on bush encroachment as a way of exploring new economic instruments (e.g. Payments for Ecosystem Services) designed to enhance the flow of ecosystem services that support livelihoods in Rangeland systems. It does this by evaluating the likely impacts of bush encroachment, one of the key forms of Rangeland Degradation, on a range of ecosystem services in three land tenure types (private fenced ranches, communal grazing areas and Wildlife Management Areas), before considering options for more sustainable land management in these systems. We argue that with adequate policy support, economic mechanisms could help reorient degraded Rangelands towards more sustainable land management.

H A Snyman - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • soil seed bank evaluation along a Degradation gradient in arid Rangelands of the somali region eastern ethiopia
    Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, 2009
    Co-Authors: Amaha Kassahun, H A Snyman, G N Smit
    Abstract:

    Abstract The potential and regeneration capacity of soil seed banks in three eastern Ethiopian Rangeland ecosystems (Asbuli grassland or arid grassland, Aydora open savanna or arid bush/grassland and Hurso closed savanna or arid bush land) were determined over a Degradation gradient. Soil samples from 0.09 m 2 blocks (100 mm deep) were spread evenly in plastic containers in the greenhouse and studied over a 1-year period. The aboveground species composition was also compared. Sampling was from Rangelands in excellent, good, moderate and poor conditions for each ecosystem. A total of 122 plant species were identified in the soil seed banks, with 32% in the Asbuli grassland, 35% in the Aydora open savanna and 33% in the Hurso closed savanna. Seedlings emerging from soil samples were in the order of decreasing number, grasses, forbs, woody plants, weeds and legumes. Seedling density decreased ( P Tragus berteronianus and woody plant Crotolaria albicaulis dominated the botanical composition of the seed bank for all ecosystems with Rangeland Degradation. Eragrostis cilianensis and Eriochloa nubica were the dominant grass species in the soil seed bank of all ecosystems, regardless of Rangeland Degradation. There is no adequate evidence to prove that severe degraded Rangelands in eastern Ethiopia maintain adequate soil seed banks that would improve the condition of it through restoration. Application of efficient management systems and long-term conservation planning in future is therefore important for sustainable use of the natural recourse and livestock production systems in arid ecosystems.

  • impact of Rangeland Degradation on the pastoral production systems livelihoods and perceptions of the somali pastoralists in eastern ethiopia
    Journal of Arid Environments, 2008
    Co-Authors: Amaha Kassahun, H A Snyman, G N Smit
    Abstract:

    Arid and semi-arid Rangelands that serve as the resource basis for the livestock production system known as the pastoral production system in Ethiopia are under enormous threat. These Rangelands cover about 62% of the national land area and employs approximately 27% of the population. A survey was conducted in two pastoral weredas (districts; Erer and Aysha) in the Shinile zone of the Somali region, with the aims of assessing the status and trends of Rangeland Degradation, and understanding the impact on livelihoods and perceptions of the pastoralists over a 60-year period (1944–1974 and 1974–2004). The year 1974 was taken as a reference due to the severe drought in the Horn of Africa. Three villages per wereda, 50 households per village and one elder pastoralist (70–75 years old) per household were randomly selected. The sample of elders consisted of 30% women and 70% men, who were interviewed using questionnaires and open discussions. The results revealed that drought, aridity and Rangeland Degradation have increased over time due to environmental Degradation and mismanagement of Rangeland resources. Changes in vegetation ecology have drastically (p<0.05) altered the livestock species composition in favour of camels and small ruminants rather than cattle. This has also influenced the planning and preference of pastoralists for different types of livestock. Poor and very poor households have emerged, and the below-medium wealth rank has disappeared, showing that poverty has increased over time. Traditional coping mechanisms are reported to be failing due to increasing environmental and Rangeland Degradation and lack of national policies to minimize or solve the problems. These findings offer a new perspective for communal Rangeland management research, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas.

  • cattle Rangeland management practices and perceptions of pastoralists towards Rangeland Degradation in the borana zone of southern ethiopia
    Journal of Environmental Management, 2007
    Co-Authors: T B Solomon, H A Snyman, G N Smit
    Abstract:

    Abstract A survey was conducted in the Borana pastoral areas of southern Ethiopia to assess current livestock production systems, Rangeland management practices and the perceptions of the pastoralists towards Rangeland Degradation. This information is considered vital to future pastoral development planning and interventions. Data were collected from a total of 20 villages that were identified from 5 peasant associations, namely Did Yabello, Moyatte, Did Harra, Dubuluk and Melbana. The average household size in the study area was 7.23. The majority of the pastoralists relied on both livestock and crop farming. The average livestock holding per household was 14 cattle, 10 goats, 6 sheep and 2 camels. Livestock holdings, with the exception of camels, has shown a declining trend over time. The two most important traditional Rangeland management strategies adopted by the pastoralists included burning and mobility, but since 1974/75 burning has no longer been practised. With regard to mobility, the livestock herding falls in two categories, namely: home based and satellite herding. The former involves the herding of milking cows, calves and immature animals ( 2 years) further away from the encampments. Based on the pastoralists’ perceptions, the major constraints on livestock production in descending order, were recurrent drought, feed and water scarcity, animal diseases, predators and communal land ownership. All the respondents considered the condition of the Rangelands to have declined dramatically over time. In the past most development policies were based on equilibrium theories that opposed the communal use of the Rangelands and traditional range management practices. The way in which the pastoral system affects the Rangeland ecosystem functioning is contentious to this theory and the ‘tragedy of the commons’. There was also a perceived problem of bush encroachment and the ban on traditional burning practices and recurrent droughts were seen as aggravating factors to this invasion process. The increasing practice of crop cultivation on the Rangelands was identified as a serious threat to future livestock production and traditional resource management practices. Suggestions for possible interventions to improve the productivity and sustainable use of these Rangelands are made.

  • Rangeland Degradation in a semi arid south africa ii influence on soil quality
    Journal of Arid Environments, 2005
    Co-Authors: H A Snyman, C C Du Preez
    Abstract:

    Abstract The impact of Rangeland Degradation on soil characteristics (compaction, temperature, soil–water content, infiltrability, root and litter turnover, and the organic matter content), was determined for a semi-arid Rangeland. Sampling was from Rangeland artificially maintained in three different Rangeland conditions, viz. good, moderate and poor. Due to the lower basal cover of Rangeland in poor condition, soil compaction increased ( p ⩽0.01) and temperature, water-content, infiltrability and organic matter content decreased ( p ⩽0.01) with Rangeland Degradation. The mean soil compaction of Rangeland in good, moderate and poor conditions was 6.37, 11.51 and 18.34 kg cm −2 , respectively. The highest temperatures on top of the soil of 55, 49 and 46 °C for Rangeland in poor, moderate and good conditions respectively, occurred during December. Where rainfall is the biggest determining factor for production in Rangeland in poor condition, under higher soil–water conditions, nitrogen is for Rangeland in good condition. After only 5 years following Degradation, organic C was significantly lower (22.15%) over the first 50 mm soil layer and total N significantly lower (12.91%) over the first 100 mm in Rangeland in poor condition than that of good condition Rangeland. Rangeland Degradation lengthened the replacement of total root system with about a year and decomposition time of litter with 8 months. The importance of maintaining Rangeland in good condition and soil quality to help ensure sustainable utilization of the grassland ecosystem was stressed.

  • Rangeland Degradation in a semi arid south africa i influence on seasonal root distribution root shoot ratios and water use efficiency
    Journal of Arid Environments, 2005
    Co-Authors: H A Snyman
    Abstract:

    Abstract The seasonal trend in root mass, root distribution with depth and root/shoot ratios along a Degradation gradient were quantified over a 2 year period (2000/01 and 2001/02 growing seasons) for a semi-arid Rangeland. Water-use efficiency (WUE) for each Rangeland condition is defined as the quantity of above-ground phytomass produced per unit of water evap-transpired. Sampling was from Rangeland artificially maintained in 3 different Rangeland conditions viz. good, moderate and poor. Roots were extracted to a depth of 900 with 50 mm intervals, using a corer and then separated from the soil by wet sieving. Sampling of both above- and belowground phytomass production including litter, were at approximately bi-monthly intervals to account for major seasonal changes. Most of the grassroots were found in the first 150 mm soil layer, but root distribution tended to be more superficial with Rangeland Degradation. Root mass in semi-arid Rangelands are strongly seasonal with the most active growth taking place during March and April, when the aboveground is dormant. Both the above- and belowground phytomass productions decreased by Rangeland Degradation ( p ⩽0.01). The growing seasonal (October–March) average root mass to a depth of 900 mm was 3185, 2336 and 1162 kg ha −1 , respectively, for Rangeland in good, moderate and poor condition, compared to the average above-ground phytomass production over the same period of 2341, 1648 and 695 kg ha −1 . It seems that root mass is greater than above-ground biomass for this semi-arid Rangeland, with root production also more sensitive to Rangeland Degradation than above-ground production. The root/shoot ratios for Rangeland in good, moderate and poor conditions ranged between 1.57–3.20, 1.65–3.46 and 2.06–7.14, respectively. Water-use efficiency declined ( p ⩽0.01) with Rangeland Degradation. Rangeland in good condition averaged a WUE of 2.97 kg above-ground phytomass produced ha −1  mm −1 evapo-transpiration. The average litter productions were 99.55, 61.51 and 24.00 kg ha −1 , respectively, for Rangeland in good, moderate and poor condition. As a proportion of annual phytomass production, litterfall of 5.35% for Rangeland in good condition was obtained. This study is one of few root studies available where different Rangeland conditions were evaluated and can serve as guidelines for sustainable utilization of the Rangeland ecosystem in semi-arid climate.

Mohsen Sharafatmandrad - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • assessment of Rangeland Degradation indicators using exploiters view between authorized and unauthorized exploiters case study saryqmish winter Rangelands golestan province iran
    Desert, 2016
    Co-Authors: Bahareh Behmanesh, Ahmad Abedi Sarvestani, Mohammad Reza Shahraki, Mohsen Sharafatmandrad, A Hajilidavaji
    Abstract:

    In recent years, large Rangeland areas have been destroyed for various reasons, so that its negative impacts on local people's income and sustainable livelihood are become significant. Due to the fact that signs of negative or downward trends in the Rangelands condition are being revealed prior to the complete Degradation, a study was done to identify these sings and evaluate their importance in Saryqmish Rangelands, Marave Tape County, Golestan Province, Iran. Data were gathered using direct and participant observations. Based on Rangeland Degradation indicators extracted from literature and interviews, a questionnaire was drawn up under which the respondents were asked to rate the importance of Rangeland Degradation indicators in two different scales: 5-point Likert-type scale and a 20-point scale. The results showed that "vegetation" with 68.9% and 53.3%, and "climate" with 48.9% and 77.8% are known as the indicators with medium and high importance in Rangeland Degradation, respectively. In other words, exploiters known climate and vegetation more important than other indicators in Rangeland Degradation. The results indicated that exploiters consider "reducing production plants" and "reduce the number of annual plants and grass" as the first priorities for assessing Rangeland Degradation Statistical comparison of the Rangeland Degradation indicators between authorized and unauthorized users pointed out that there were no significant differences between these two groups in assessed Rangelands Degradation indicators.

  • Rangeland Degradation assessment a new strategy based on the ecological knowledge of indigenous pastoralists
    Solid Earth, 2016
    Co-Authors: Bahareh Behmanesh, Hossein Barani, Ahmad Abedi Sarvestani, Mohammad Reza Shahraki, Mohsen Sharafatmandrad
    Abstract:

    Abstract. In a changing world, the prevalence of land Degradation is becoming a serious problem, especially in countries with arid and semi-arid Rangelands. There are many techniques to assess Rangeland Degradation that rely on scientific knowledge but ignore indigenous people. Indigenous people have accumulated precious knowledge about land management through generations of experience. Therefore, a study was conducted to find out how indigenous people assess Rangeland Degradation and how their ecological knowledge can be used for Rangeland Degradation assessment. Interviews were conducted with the pastoralists of two sites (Dasht and Mirza Baylu), where part of both areas is located in Golestan National Park (north-eastern Iran). A structured questionnaire was designed based on 17 indicators taken from literature and also primary discussions with pastoralists in order to evaluate land Degradation. A qualitative Likert five-point scale was used for scoring Rangeland Degradation indicators. The results revealed that pastoralists pay more attention to edaphic indicators than to vegetative and other indicators. There were significant differences between the inside and outside of the park in terms of Rangeland Degradation indicators for both sites. The results show that the Rangelands outside of the park in both sites were degraded compared to those inside of the park, especially in the areas close to villages. It can be concluded that pastoralists have a wealth of knowledge about the vegetation and grazing animal habits that can be used in Rangeland Degradation assessment. It is therefore necessary to document their ecological indigenous knowledge and involve them in the process of Rangeland-Degradation assessment.

  • Rangeland Degradation assessment a new strategy based on indigenous ecological knowledge of pastoralists
    Solid Earth Discussions, 2015
    Co-Authors: Bahareh Behmanesh, Hossein Barani, Ahmad Abedi Sarvestani, Mohammad Reza Shahraki, Mohsen Sharafatmandrad
    Abstract:

    ١٦ In the changing world, the prevalence of land Degradation is becoming a serious problem ١٧ worldwide especially in countries with arid and semiarid Rangelands. There are many ١٨ techniques to assess Rangeland Degradation but most of them rely on classic science. So a ١٩ study was conducted to find out how indigenous people assess Rangeland Degradation and ٢٠ how their ecological knowledge can be used for Rangeland Degradation assessment. We ٢١ interviewed pastoralists of two sites (Mirza-Baylu and Dasht) where part of both areas is ٢٢ located in Golestan National Park (NE Iran). A structured questionnaire was designed based ٢٣ on some indicators taken from literature and also primary discussions with pastoralists in ٢٤ order to evaluate land Degradation. A qualitative Likert scale was used for scoring Rangeland ٢٥ Degradation indicators. The results revealed that pastoralist pay first attention to edaphic ٢٦ indicators than vegetative and other indicators. There were significant differences between ٢٧ inside and outside of the park in Rangeland Degradation indicators for both sites. The results ٢٨ show that the Rangelands outside the park in both sites were degraded compare to inside the ٢٩ Commented [H1]: Affiliations should be checked. What are 2,3 and 4 Commented [H2]: Some interviews were conducted with the pastoralists of two study sites Commented [H3]: North Eat of Iran Commented [H4]: 5 scales or more? Commented [H5]: In terms of Commented [H6]: Comparing with 2 park especially in the areas near to villages. It can be concluded that pastoralists own a vast ١ amount of knowledge on the vegetation and grazing animal habits that can be used in ٢ Rangeland Degradation assessment and it is necessary to document their ecological indigenous ٣ knowledge and involve them in Rangeland Degradation assessment process. ٤

Andrew J Dougill - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • land use Rangeland Degradation and ecological changes in the southern kalahari botswana
    African Journal of Ecology, 2016
    Co-Authors: Andrew J Dougill, J S Perkins, Julius Atlhopheng, Nicola Favretto, Lindsay C. Stringer, Lawrence Akanyang, Frank D Eckardt, K Mulale
    Abstract:

    Dual-scale analyses assessing farm-scale patterns of ecological change and landscape-scale patterns of change in vegetation cover and animal distribution are presented from ecological transect studies away from waterpoints, regional remotely sensed analysis of vegetation cover and animal numbers across the southern Kalahari, Botswana. Bush encroachment is prevalent in semi-arid sites where Acacia mellifera Benth. is widespread in communal areas and private ranches, showing that land tenure changes over the last 40 years have not avoided Rangeland Degradation. Herbaceous cover is dominated in intensively grazed areas by the annual grass Schmidtia kalahariensis Stent and in moderately grazed areas by the perennial grass Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees. Nutritious perennial grass species including Eragrostis pallens Hack. Ex Schinz remain prevalent in Wildlife Management Areas. Other ecological changes include the invasion of the exotic Prosopis glandulosa Torr. and dense stands of Rhigozum trichotomum Kuntze. in the arid southwest. Regional patterns of wildlife species show that the expansion of cattleposts and fenced ranches has led to large areas of low wildlife conservation value even in areas where cattle production is not practiced. Findings show the need for integrated landscape-scale planning of land use if the ecological value and biodiversity of the southern Kalahari is to be retained.

  • reorienting land Degradation towards sustainable land management linking sustainable livelihoods with ecosystem services in Rangeland systems
    Journal of Environmental Management, 2015
    Co-Authors: Mark Reed, Andrew J Dougill, J S Perkins, Julius Atlhopheng, K Mulale, Lindsay C. Stringer, Nicola Favretto
    Abstract:

    This paper identifies new ways of moving from land Degradation towards sustainable land management through the development of economic mechanisms. It identifies new mechanisms to tackle land Degradation based on retaining critical levels of natural capital whilst basing livelihoods on a wider range of ecosystem services. This is achieved through a case study analysis of the Kalahari Rangelands in southwest Botswana. The paper first describes the socio-economic and ecological characteristics of the Kalahari Rangelands and the types of land Degradation taking place. It then focuses on bush encroachment as a way of exploring new economic instruments (e.g. Payments for Ecosystem Services) designed to enhance the flow of ecosystem services that support livelihoods in Rangeland systems. It does this by evaluating the likely impacts of bush encroachment, one of the key forms of Rangeland Degradation, on a range of ecosystem services in three land tenure types (private fenced ranches, communal grazing areas and Wildlife Management Areas), before considering options for more sustainable land management in these systems. We argue that with adequate policy support, economic mechanisms could help reorient degraded Rangelands towards more sustainable land management.

  • participatory selection process for indicators of Rangeland condition in the kalahari
    The Geographical Journal, 2002
    Co-Authors: Mark Reed, Andrew J Dougill
    Abstract:

    To develop indicator-based management tools that can facilitate sustainable natural resource management by non-specialists, meaningful participation of stakeholders is essential. A participatory framework is proposed for the identification, evaluation and selection of Rangeland condition indicators. This framework is applied to the assessment of Rangeland Degradation processes and sustainable natural resource management with pastoralists in the southern Kalahari, Botswana. Farmer knowledge focused on vegetation and livestock, with soil, wild animal and socio-economic indicators playing a lesser role. Most were indicators of current Rangeland condition; however ‘early warning’ indicators were also identified by some key informants. This demonstrates that some local knowledge is process-based. Such knowledge could be used to improve indicatorbased management tools and extension advice on the livelihood adaptations necessary to prevent or reduce ecological change, capable of threatening livelihood sustainability. There is evidence that social background influences indicator use. Communal farmers rely most heavily on vegetation and livestock indicators, whilst syndicate and landowning pastoralists cite wild animal and soil-based indicators most frequently. These factors must be considered if indicator-based management tools are to meet the requirements of a diverse community.